Ophthalmic Photographer
Salary

The average Ophthalmic Photographer in the United States can expect to rake in roughly $19.14 per hour. The majority of Ophthalmic Photographers claim high levels of job satisfaction. Medical benefits are awarded to a large number, and more than half earn dental coverage. There are more female Ophthalmic Photographers who answered the questionnaire than male, making up 68 percent. This report is based on responses to the PayScale salary survey.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Ophthalmic Photographer

Ophthalmic photographers work in ophthalmic medical centers, and their primary job is to capture close-up images of patients' retinas, corneas, and other ocular structures. These images can be used to diagnose problems and can also be used to document diseases, surgeries, and treatments. They will have to use a variety of specialized equipment like microscopes and cameras to capture two-dimensional and three-dimensional photos. They will have to know how to conduct tests, such as using dye to obtain an angiogram of the eye. They will need to know how to develop exposed film and mount and label slides to be included in a patient's medical chart.

They may also be required to clean and maintain the equipment that they work with. They will have to work very close to the patient and will need to have a calm, reassuring manner. This is so they can instruct the patient's gaze and ensure that they obtain the necessary results. They should have a strong attention to detail so that they can easily detect differences in patients' eyes and find correct diagnoses. An ophthalmic photographer works with technology, so they should be comfortable using computers and other digital equipment.

There is no formal training program for ophthalmic photographers, but there are many programs in ophthalmic technology that include photography in their curricula. It is also possible to learn on the job or in medical programs. Obtaining an associate's degree in ophthalmic technology will teach other useful skills that could be applied on an ophthalmologist's team, which makes an applicant especially appealing.

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Pay by Experience Level for Ophthalmic Photographer

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

For many Ophthalmic Photographers, extensive experience does not lead to significantly more money. During the first five years of their careers, Ophthalmic Photographers see a median income of $39K. Survey respondents with five to 10 years of experience report an only modestly higher median of $42K. People with 10 to 20 years of experience make an average of about $47K in this role. Veterans who have acquired more than 20 years report a median income of $53K, which is generally higher than the pay reported by other tenure groups.